We’ve been hearing several tales about Anu Malik being unhappy with Sunidhi Chauhan judging Indian Idol, ever since she joined the panel last season. Yesterday, we actually witnessed an incident on stage that made us believe that there is some truth to these rumours

After a host of speeches, the judges – Anu Malik, Sunidhi Chauhan and Salim Merchant – sang a couple of songs each by way of introduction. Salim was the first and he rocked the floor with his rendition of Main toh ainvayi ainvayi loot gaya from Band Baaja Baaraat. We expected Sunidhi to be next as usually the judges are introduced in the ascending order of importance. Instead, it was Anu who was the next to perform. He sang three songs, accompanied by Salim on the piano. Things were going smoothly so far.

Then it was Sunidhi’s turn. She rendered a slower, sexier, sultrier version of Aa zara kareeb se from Murder 2 that garnered applause and whistles from the audience. Salim accompanied her on the piano, but there was nothing for Anu to do. For some time, he stood at the side of the stage, nodding his head in appreciation of the song. But it didn’t take much time for him to grow restless with his situation. He joined Sunidhi centre stage while she was in the middle of her song and for one second we thought they’ll sing a duet. Then when Anu herded her to the front of the stage, we thought he’s being considerate. But we were wrong!

As Sunidhi continued to sing, photographers jumped up to catch Sunidhi and Anu together in the same frame. That’s when we realized that it was at their request that he had come to stand by Sunidhi! He was posing! Once the cameramen were done clicking pictures, he returned to the side of the stage.

That was really weird. Here is Sunidhi, singing melodiously, and Anu steps in just so that he can pose for a few photographs? What kind of behaviour is that? While Sunidhi sang, Salim was all smiles at the piano, but Anu had an expression that didn’t have an iota of geniality.

We hoped that after judging Indian Idol 5 together they would have arrived at some sort of truce, but looks like the war is going to continue this season too.

In a bid to discover a complete package – good voice and looks – judges of Indian Idol were missing out on true singing talents. But no more, they say!

Singing reality show Indian Idol enters its sixth season and the three judges – Salim Merchant, Anu Malik and Sunidhi Chauhan – say that this time the focus will be on the power of the voice and not on the looks. “Our priority this time is only good voice. That voice has to have a spark and magic which touches the soul. Yes, Season five was all about complete packaging, but while selecting that we missed out on some great talents. So this time we thought why not concentrate on voice only as looks can happen gradually with grooming,” Sunidhi said.

It is said that over 1.5 lakh participants have registered themselves online for this edition of Indian Idol, which has earlier discovered talents like Abhijeet Sawant, Sandeep Acharya, Prashant Tamang and Sreeram Chandra Mynampati. “It is wrong to say that we always look for a complete package as this edition will be only about good singer. The focus will only be on voice,” said Salim Merchant.

Musician Anu Malik, who has been a judge on the show ever since its debut in 2004, said looks can help contestant only if he or she is blessed with a good voice. “I am not looking for a girl who looks beautiful. If that comes with your voice, it can be an added bonus. But for me voice matters and nothing else,” he added.

So far Tripura girl Sourabhee Debbarma who participated in Season 4 has been the only female who won the Indain Idol title. But that may change. Sunidhi Chauhan said, “So far the number of girls are more than boys and I am happy about it. It’s good to see girls are coming out and showing their true power. Hope to get more female winners.”

The show will be hosted by Hussain Kuwajerwala and Mini Mathur. Though the dates are not finalised yet, but it may replace Comedy Circus.

While judging a talent show, they were astounded by a budding artist who made a portrait within a minute

In the forthcoming episode of Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega, you will see Farah Khan drop her jaw and Anu Malik fall silent. All thanks to the talented painter Dhaval Khatri from Gujarat. The artist, who lost both his hands in an accident eight years ago, dropped in on the show and left the judges stunned by creating a painting within a minute. Later, the courageous guy also created a painting of Anu Malik (also within a minute) in front of the audiences and gifted it to him. Farah and Anu were so touched that they didn’t know what to say. Now it takes a lot to get the two judges dumbfounded, doesn’t it? Kudos to this young artist for managing to do the impossible!